Saturday, April 19 ~ The Burial of Jesus

~~John 19:38-42
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

~~Jesus was confirmed dead on the cross. Contrary to what we might think, this was not an “event” for the people of Jerusalem. Mary was present. John, the one whom Jesus loved, stood there. Those who followed him may very well have believed they were next. People were scarce, which makes Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who came to prepare his body for burial, men of courage.
There was no funeral. No final words said over Jesus. No hymns sung. The circumstances struck fear into the lives of his followers. His closest disciples, huddled in fear behind locked doors. No one knew what would come next.
They could imagine that this was the end. It was over. For Rome, this is reflexive action. They crucified as example and participated in genocide as a matter of policy. The Jewish leaders thought they were involved in a power struggle with the Messiah. They should have known that death does not have the final word.
For this day, what was good and proper was done.
We wait patiently.
God has plans. A new thing is about to be done.
Prepare to be amazed.

Jeff W. Bell